by Jess Rinker
“What do you think, Jack?” Mom says, after they read over the paperwork.
“I think we’ll have to pinch and cut back on some things, but I know we can make it work,” my dad says. “It’s definitely worth a shot.”
“Evelyn, thank you so much. It’s exactly what we needed. A little more time.” Mom sits back and sighs, and shakes her head at me.
“What?”
When she gives me that look, I always feel like I’m getting into trouble. But this time there’s no eyebrow talking.
“I’m amazed at what you and your sisters have accomplished,” she says. “You all believed when the rest of us couldn’t do it anymore. You took on Grandpa’s challenge and proved him right. And Savannah, you’ve saved our home simply by being you and speaking up to Mrs. Taylor at the right time. I’m amazed. And grateful.”
Simply by being me, which Frankie said is just like Grandpa.
I look around the table at my family, Mrs. Taylor, and even Py, who’s staring up at me with her head cocked like she’s wondering what the wet stuff on my cheeks is.
“Are you crying?” Frankie asks, and leans toward me.
I wipe off my face as fast as I can. Pirates don’t cry. Pirates fight.
My sisters gather around me and squeeze me tight.
But for today, I suppose the fight is over.
The right and true guardians have won.
On the wall across the dining room, I’m sure the portrait of Grandpa just gave me a wink.
Epilogue
One More Sign
October 1996
Frankie lights one last candle as we sit down around the Star Board. I have the Morse code message Grandpa left us with the key. It was really easy to solve once I found his book, and although I promised Dad I’d keep him posted on our explorations, I haven’t said anything to him about this clue. What could it hurt to keep one little secret?
.-- ..…- - / .- -. -.-.… -. - / .. -.…- . -. - .. --- -. / .- .-…-.. --- .-- . -.. / .--. . --- .--. .-… / - --- /.…. / - ..…-. --- ..- --..… / .-- .- .-…-..…..--..
What ancient invention allowed people to see through walls?
“A window,” Frankie answers. “That makes less sense than ‘elbow.’” Her face is shadowy and serious as she sits down next to Jolene and me. We’re all dressed in our favorite pirate clothes and of course, Jolene has on her eye patch. Mom made her take it off so she could wash it last week, but other than that it’s hardly left her face, except for when we’re at school because her teacher said she’s going to ruin her eyes.
“Deadlights,” I say.
“What?”
“Just made me think of deadlights. They are the windows on a pirate ship. And sometimes that’s what pirates called eyes—the window to the soul.”
“Creepy,” Jolene says.
“What do you think it means?” Frankie asks.
“No idea.”
“Maybe Blackbeard can help us with this one,” Jolene says. She’s starting to come round to the Star Board and sits cross-legged with her back straight and her hands ready to go. She’s even started memorizing some of the constellations on the chart.
“I think you’re right, but you know what we need before we go any further with this treasure hunt?” I say. “Pirate names.”
“Yes!” Frankie says. “I love that idea. What should we use?”
“Well, Edward Teach went by Blackbeard because he had a huge black beard, so I guess we should use things that describe us,” I say.
Jolene sits up even straighter. “Then I’m One-Eyed Wonder, like Peter said.”
“I like it,” I say. “Frankie?”
She thinks for a moment. “From now on you can call me Frankie ‘Sycamore’ Dare.”
We all laugh at that one. That lady with the funny accent from New Jersey had it right. Frankie is tall.
“What about you?” Jolene asks me. “What do you want to be called?”
“Savvy,” I say.
“But that’s already your name,” says Jolene.
“Exactly. ’Cause I’ve been a pirate all along.” Only Grandpa knew it.
“Perfect,” Frankie says. “Savvy Savannah is perfect.”
“No one can mess with Frankie Sycamore Dare, Savvy Savannah Mae, and the One-Eyed Wonder.” Jolene jumps on the couch, crouching with a wooden sword like she’s ready for an attack. I wish Grandpa could see his pirate princess now. Then again, maybe he can.
This time, as we settle in to talk to Blackbeard, there’re no questions from Frankie, and no giggling from Jolene. The crow’s nest is dark but cozy, and hopefully especially welcoming to our ghostly guide. Without his help, we might not have escaped Dunmore Throop. And now we need help again.
“Edward Teach, it’s us again. The right and true guardians, the Dare sisters: Frankie Sycamore Dare, Savvy Savannah, and Jolene the One-Eyed Wonder.” Jolene giggles after that, but I keep going.
“Please give us a sign that you’re here, Edward,” I say. Even I’m trembling a little bit, but I think it’s because I’m more excited about what he might tell us, and if he knows anything else about Grandpa’s remaining clues that will lead us to the final X marks the spot.
Everything stays very quiet this time, except for some creaking in the rafters. Jolene looks up, all over the ceiling, then closes her eyes—eye—and stays calm. If Blackbeard is swinging from the rafters, this time she doesn’t seem to mind.
“Tell him about the key,” Jolene whispers. “Tell him how you barely escaped Throop’s clutches!”
“Tell him we know he’s on our side now,” Frankie says.
“Shhh! Only one person at a time can talk or he’ll get confused!” I say. Frankie makes a face at me. “Edward, we know you’re on our side now,” I say. I tell Blackbeard everything that happened at Springer’s Point, and how we have a key that we think belonged to him, hidden by our grandfather.
“Our grandfather wanted nothing more than to have your treasure in a museum. Now that our home is safe, we want to make that happen. We promise.” My sisters nod their heads.
“May you please help us, Mr. Blackbeard?” Jolene asks. We squeeze in closer together, our knees all touching. The paddle begins to move.
Lynx.
Eridanus.
Sagittarius.
Y
E
S
“He said ‘yes’!” Jolene shouts. “He said ‘yes,’ he’ll still help us!”
“Shhh!” I put my hand over her mouth. “Don’t scare him away.” I take my hand away. “But good job.”
Jolene smiles and sits up straighter. “I intrepid it all by myself.”
Frankie rolls her eyes. “I think you mean ‘interpreted.’”
“That’s what I said.”
I love my pirate sisters.
Savvy and her sisters love talking like pirates. Here are some of their favorite terms for you to practice for National Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19)!
Author’s Note
Ocracoke Island, along with the town of Avon up the beach a bit, harbored in my heart when I was fourteen. North Carolina’s Outer Banks—their natural beauty, quiet beaches, and the unique lifestyle of their communities—became a place I knew I’d return to. I also knew I’d someday write a story set on Ocracoke, but it wasn’t until I saw three sisters skateboarding in Key Largo that I had my characters. The Dare sisters have elements of all of the best women in my life, living in my favorite place, wrapped up in a story that embraces family, the close-knit community of a small town (with which I’m very familiar), pirate treasure, and a few friendly ghosts. I only hope the true residents of the village will forgive me for the many liberties I’ve taken with their home and my obvious disadvantage of never having lived in this special place.
Since the writing of this book, Ocracoke suffered great devastation when Hurricane Dorian hit in August 2019. Hurricanes are indeed a part of life on all barrier islands, but this storm caused more damage and flooding than any i
n all of Ocracoke’s recent history. The Ocracoke Community Foundation has been set up for donations if you’re moved to lend a hand. www.obcf.org
Acknowledgments
Cheers!
To Linda Epstein—my agent and friend. I have not had many true advocates in my life. Thank you for lighting the way.
To the editing, design, and marketing teams at Imprint, for all your hard work and belief in this book. Especially Nicole Otto—your enthusiasm for my story and love of Grandpa Cornelius will stay with me forever. And Captain John Morgan, you took over this mission with more charm and insight than I ever expected. I am so happy to continue charting this course with you.
To the academic and artistic communities that have given me confidence, skills, and support to create the life and career I dreamed about: The Allies in Wonderland, Vermont College of Fine Arts, Sierra Nevada College, the inimitable Highlights Foundation, Weymouth Center of Arts and Humanities, Bloomsburg University, and, finally, Warren County Community College—especially professors BJ Ward and Brian Bradford—where I first dipped my toes in this new, second life and immediately knew I was finally in the right ocean.
To several teachers in my high school days who saw something in me that I couldn’t see, especially Louise Edgcomb who remains a friend to this day.
To all me hearties who have read my stories or mentored my craft or simply been sailing along with me: Donna Galanti; Erica George; Kathryn Craft; Josh Horowitz; Marie and Baldev Lamba; Shane, Logan, and Sawyer McGee; Heather Pasqualino; Diana Thorn; Terry Wilson; Caroline Scutt and Jeff Trimmer; Natasha Sinel; Nicole Valentine; Nelson Giboyeaux Centeno—each one of you, a sail on this ship.
To Kim Bakke and Pablo Cartaya—two of the best first mates I have ever had in my life. I’ll just leave it at that, otherwise we’ll all be crying.
To the women in my family: Becca, Mom, Mema, Charlene, and Sharon—for showing me how strong women (sisters/mothers/daughters) can build each other up, rather than tear each other down, each one of you pirate queens.
To my kiddos—I know you don’t totally understand why I do what I do and why I’ve made the choices I’ve made, but you three have inspired me for over two decades now (!) and in all kinds of ways you end up in my stories. Always remember the Cord of Three.
To my sweetheart Joe—you never let me forget the magic and wonder of this life for which I am eternally grateful. There is no one else with whom I want to sail this ship.
To Edward Teach, whose story (one with many liberties in itself) lives on over three hundred years after your death, a feat many writers aspire to. I like to think rather than the dramatic and violent reputation you built, it’s the adventure and mystery that keeps us looking for treasure, the untold story we cling to in order to keep believing.
And finally to my Poppy, who I never got to know very well, but who believed in me unfailingly, and who I imagine would have gotten along very well with Cornelius Franklin Dare. In some strange and magical way, I picture you together smoking pipes and poring over maps. Yo-ho, a pirate’s life!
About the Author
Jess Rinker always wanted to find treasure as a child. In the woods or on the beach, she was always hunting for something, and when she first visited the Outer Banks of North Carolina at fourteen she discovered the incredible history there was a treasure in itself. She could never be a pirate because she gets seasick, but writing about pirates has been quite fun. She’s now a children’s author and writing teacher, and she still searches for treasures. The Dare Sisters is her first middle grade novel.
Visit her online at jessrinker.com, or sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
1. X Marks the Spot
2. Captain of the Kids’ Table
3. Queen Mary’s Secrets
4. From the Crow’s Nest
5. Ghosts in the Rafters
6. Saying Goodbye
7. The Cord of Three
8. One-Eyed Wonder
9. All Hands on Deck
10. Cleaning Out the Captain’s Quarters
11. Carousing with Landlubbers
12. May Day, May Day!
13. The First Duel
14. The Elbow Tree
15. Captain Jolene Takes the Helm
16. Retreat to the Crow’s Nest
17. Traitor Aboard the Queen Mary
18. Yo-ho! Yo-ho! The Pirate Life Is Rough
19. Dissension in the Ranks
20. New First Mate
21. Heave Ho!
22. Sand Ho!
23. Dead Men Tell No Tales
24. Thar She Blows!
25. Blow the Man Down!
26. The Family That Pirates Together
27. For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow
Epilogue: One More Sign
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright
Copyright © 2020 by Jessica Rinker
A part of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC
120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271
fiercereads.com or mackids.com
All rights reserved.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
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Imprint logo designed by Amanda Spielman
First hardcover edition, 2020
eBook edition, 2020
eISBN 978-1-250-21339-6